As I look through records and try to figure out who belongs where, I found this tidbit on Irish naming patterns from the mid-1800's. Does it follow precisely, no. Is is potentially helpful, yes.
Now in the Irish folks I am always trying to locate more information about, this pattern is not always that helpful, but it does offer options on what potential names to look for.
In addition to patterns, many Irish owned and used Butler's Lives of the Saints. A book that is still in my parent's home. This book was used to assist in the serious task of selecting the correct name since the child would develop the characteristics of the particular Saint they are named for.
NAMING PATTERNS common in Ireland in the mid-1800's
If you test it against the names of your ancestors AND they followed it...the probability that the prior generation might have is enough for me to look for that first name I would expect the prior generations would have-when I have no other leads to follow.
The 1st son was usually named after the father's father
The 1st daughter was usually named after the mother's mother
The 2nd son was usually named after the mother's father
The 2nd daughter was usually named after the father's mother
The 3rd son was usually named after the father
The 3rd daughter was usually named after the mother
The 4th son was usually named after the father's eldest brother
The 4th daughter was usually named after the mother's eldest sister
The 5th son was usually named after the mother's eldest brother
The 5th daughter was usually named after the father's eldest sister.
Naturally this pattern could not be followed exactly, but many families would try and keep to it.
There are also a number of Irish names that have nicknames and variations because we wouldn't want these ancestors to be too simple to locate.
Terry Egan tegan@inform.com.au compiled the following information. Please send him additions to include in his list.
What's in a name?
The following name variations have been compiled from information supplied by participants on the GENIRE-L. Many other nicknames were submitted, however I was interested mainly in name substitutes that became a 'traditional' alternative to the baptismal name. In other words, family nicknames or simple name-shortening have not made it to this list. Also, substitutes that are still common today are not included (e.g. Bill, Bob, etc). Some likely derivations have also been included, however this author can not warrant the accuracy of the information. Items marked '*' may be family nicknames as only one source has submitted them.
>Bridget Delia
>Bridget Delene*
>Julia Judith
>Thadeus Timothy, Teague*
>Jeremiah Derby
>Jeremiah Dermot because Diarmuid in Irish sounds more like Jairmud.
>Mona Nonie
>Peter Pierce
>Patrick Peter (interchangeable)*
>Patrick Patsy or Packy*
>Deborah Abigail*
>Joanna Susan*
>Mary Mayme
>Mary Polly
>Mary Ann Polly
>Clara* Polly
>Sarah Sally
>Sarah Sadie
>William Wit
>Honora Nora, Onnie
>Owen Eugene 'Eoghan' Gaelic, 'Eugenius' Latin, hence Eugene.
>Ann Nancy (still common)
>Winifred Una*
>Margaret Peg or Peggy Margaret means 'Pearl' and in Gaelic'Peigi' means 'Pearl'.
> However another alternative proposes that the Greek word for 'Pearl' was borrowed by the Latin 'Margarita' which was subsequently borrowed by the Gaelic.
>Margaret Madge (still fairly common)
If you have other substitutes that were common in the past in Ireland, but cause nightmares for Genealogists today, I will be pleased to add them to the list.
Thanks to all who participated. Terry Egan tegan@inform.com.au
After seeing that, I am intrigued by my maternal grandmother who was called "Peg" by her family, but had the given name Bernadette. Perhaps for the "Pearl" reference? Too bad we will never know for sure.
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